Package for dispensing of sheets therefrom with inversion and method of dispensing sheets with inversion

ABSTRACT

A package containing sheets and having an orifice for dispensing the sheets from the package. The sheets may be joined together to allow pop-up dispensing. The sheets have first and second faces facing first and second directions, respectively. The package has two orifices in communication with each other. The sheet may be grasped through the first orifice and communicated to the second orifice for subsequent pop-up dispensing. The sheet inverts about an axis during such communication so that the first side of the sheet may face towards the second direction, and vice versa. If the sheets are wetted this arrangement also allows the wetting liquid to be distributed onto an adjacent sheet during dispensing without an additional step.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/580,618, filed Oct. 13, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to dispensing of discrete sheets and moreparticularly to dispensing of discrete sheets from a container having anorifice.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dispensing of sheets from a container has long been done in the art.Reach-in dispensing allows multiple sheets to be dispensed at once, butcan be inconvenient.

Pop-up dispensing is more convenient, but often dictates that a morevertically oriented package be used. If the sheets are wet, the packagemust have a lid, to prevent undue evaporation. A seal is formed betweenthe lid and the body of the package.

If the seal does not have approximately equi-axed stresses, the seal maynot fit tightly and evaporation may again result. This problem has beenapproached by using packages having a round seal and often a round crosssection. However, this approach is not entirely successful. The consumermay desire a cross section having a different shape or footprint, morereadily allowing indicia to be placed on a side wall of the package.Furthermore, the dispensing orifice, and hence seal may not be round insuch a package.

If a package with a non-circular cross section is selected, dispensingdiscrete sheets may present particular challenges. If the sheets aredisposed in a plane generally perpendicular to the orifice, an undulylarge footprint may be required. If the sheets are packaged too tightly,tearing of the first few sheets to be dispensed may occur. The sheet maynot easily unfold upon dispensing, particular if the sheet has cohesiveforces due to wetting.

The need for improved dispensing and for improved dispensing packagescontinues. This need occurs with wet and dry sheets, which are bothdisposable and reusable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary package according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view, shown partially in cutaway, of thepackage of FIG. 1A and having sheets therein for dispensing.

FIG. 1C is a top plan view of the package of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken a long line 2-2 of FIG. 1B.

FIGS. 3A-3E are schematic side views of exemplary, representativeinterleaved patterns.

FIGS. 4A-4E are schematic side views of exemplary, representativenon-interleaved patterns.

FIG. 5 is a frontal view of the package of FIG. 1B stack of sheetsshowing the inversion of the leading edge upon dispensing, the stackbeing in an exemplary package shown in cutaway.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment the invention comprises a package in combination withat least one sheet therein and being dispensible the package. Thepackage comprises a body for containing at least one sheet therein andan orifice for dispensing the sheet there through to remove it from thepackage. The orifice comprises a first aperture and a second aperture inunobstructed communication therewith. The second aperture has a majordimension and a minor dimension orthogonal thereto, with the majordimension being greater than the minor dimension. At least one sheet isdisposed in the package. The sheet has a generally planar configuration.The plane of said sheet may be substantially aligned with the majordimension. The sheet has a first side and a second side opposed thereto,with the first side and said second side being oriented in a firstdirection and a second direction, respectively. The sheet can bepartially dispensed through said first aperture and communicated to saidsecond aperture, whereby at least a portion of said first side of saidsheet inverts to face towards said second direction upon communicationof said sheet into said second aperture.

In another embodiment the invention comprises a method of dispensing asheet, disposed in a planar configuration, from a package in pop-upfashion. The method comprises the steps of reaching into a package andwithdrawing a portion of a sheet from a starting position through afirst aperture in the package, then moving the withdrawn portion of saidsheet in an arcute path to a second aperture, whereby a portion of saidsheet inverts about a first axis to face in the opposite direction fromthe starting position.

All patents and patent applications cited herein are incorporated hereinby reference.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, the package 10 according to the presentinvention may comprise a body 11 for receiving articles therein. Thearticles are received in the body 11 of the package 10. The package 10may have defined walls, may be generally parallelepipedly shaped, andmay have a dispensing orifice 18 therein. A lid 22 may be provided tocover the orifice 18 and close the package 10.

If one or more articles are placed in the package, the articles may bedry, moist, wet or a combination thereof. The articles to be placed inthe package 10 may comprise sheets 14, or may be other contents asdesired.

Examining the package 10 in more detail, it may have defined walls 30.The walls 30 may define a top, a bottom, front and back sides, and leftand right sides, and may define any suitable size and shape. The walls30 of the body 11 and lid 22 may be generally coextensive when the lid22 is in the closed position. Alternatively, the lid 22 may have a verydifferent shape than the body 11.

The walls 30 of the package 10 need not be freestanding and rigid asdepicted, but instead may be flaccid or resiliently deformable. Thisarrangement may provide a package 10 with an amorphous shape. Materialsuch as polyethylene film may be suitable if flaccid walls are selectedfor the package 10. If so, a suitable package 10 may be made inaccordance with the teachings of commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No.5,379,897 issued Jan. 10, 1995 to Muckenfuhs et al. The package 10 mayalso be lightweight. By “lightweight” it is meant the package 10 isconveniently portable and does not have dead weight specifically addedthereto. Alternatively, the walls may be rigid. Suitable materials forrigid walls include HDPE and PP.

The orifice 18 may intercept both the top wall 30 and one of the otherwalls 30 of the package 10, so that the sheets 14 may be dispensed ineither a pop-up manner or a reach-in manner. A suitable package 10 andorifice 18 may be made in accordance with the teachings of commonlyassigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,623,074 issued Nov. 18, 1986 to Dearwester;5,516,001 issued May 14, 1996 to Muchenfuhs et al or U.S. applicationSer. No. 11/377,788 filed Mar. 16, 2006 in the names of Wong et al. asP&G Case number 10337#.

Referring back to FIGS. 1A-1C, the orifice 18 may comprise any varietyof shapes, and intercept one or more walls of the package 10. Theorifice 18 may comprise a first aperture 19A and a second aperture 19Bin communication therewith. By “in communication” it is meant that asheet 14, or portion thereof, may be moved from the first aperture 19Ato the second aperture 19B, and optionally, from the second aperture 19Bto the first aperture 19A by the user. Such movement may occur fromoutside the package 10, by simply grasping the sheet 14, or a portionthereof and transferring such portion between the first aperture 19A andthe second aperture 19B.

The communication between the first aperture 19A and the second aperture19B may be unobstructed. By “unobstructed” it is meant that the pathbetween the first aperture 19A and the second aperture 19B may be freeof any pinch points, undue obstructions or other artifacts which wouldblock movement of the sheet 14.

The first aperture 19A and/or the second aperture 19B may have a majordimension, defining the longest dimension of that first aperture 19A orsecond aperture 19B in any particular direction. Likewise the firstaperture 19A and/or the second aperture 19B may have a minor dimensionorthogonal the major dimension. The major dimension may be greater thanthe minor dimension for either or both of the first aperture 19A orsecond aperture 19B, as taken in any particular direction.

The first aperture 19A and the second aperture 19B may be of equal orunequal size/shape, be disposed on the same or different walls of thepackage 10, have the same or different orientations of the major and/orminor axes, as desired and suitable for a particular execution.

The first aperture 19A and/or the second aperture 19B may be sized toallow the user to reach into the package 10 and withdraw a portion ofthe sheet 14 therethrough, as occurs with reach-in dispensing.Additionally, the first aperture 19A and/or the second aperture 19B maybe sized to allow the user to withdraw the sheet 14 therethrough andhave a succeeding sheet 14 follow from the package 10 as occurs withpop-up dispensing. In the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in thefigures, the first aperture 19A is larger than the second aperture 19Band sized to allow for reach-in dispensing, while the second aperture19B is sized to allow for pop-up dispensing.

If desired, either aperture 19A, 19B, particularly the second aperture19B may be provided with a geometry to impart friction to a sheet 14 tobe dispensed there through. For example, overlapping plies, interferencemembers, tabs, and, as illustrated, corrugations, or similar featureswhich provide for holding a sheet 14 to be dispensed from the package 10partially inside and partially outside the package 10 may be utilized.This arrangement allows for the user to easily grasp that potion of thesheet 14, to continue pop-up dispensing from that aperture 19A, 19B.

As noted above, the first aperture 19A and the second aperture 19B maybe interconnected by a path which allows for communication of a sheet 14there between. The path may substantially reverse its direction betweenthe first aperture 19A and the second aperture 19B. By “reverse” it ismeant that the user may pull the sheet 14 in somewhat opposeddirections, or at least vector components thereof, during communicationof the sheet 14 from the first aperture 19A to the second aperture 19B.

The path may lie generally transverse to the primary dispensingdirection. If desired, the path between the first aperture 19A and thesecond aperture 19B may subtend two directions which are about 135 to225 degrees apart. In a degenerate case, the path may reverse so thatthe communication occurs in two opposed directions, and the path subtend180 degrees.

If desired, the path between the first aperture 19A and the secondaperture 19B may be arcuate. This allows for relatively smooth anduninterrupted communication of the sheet 14 between the first aperture19A and the second aperture 19B.

If desired, the orifice 18 may be asymmetric, as illustrated. In such anembodiment the first aperture 19A may have a first aperture 19A majordimension and the second aperture 19B may have a second aperture 19Bmajor dimension. The first aperture 19A major dimension and the secondaperture 19B major dimension may subtend an angle, if they lie in thesame plane, or may project a dihedral angle if they lie in differentplanes.

The angle there between may be less than 90 degrees, less than 45degrees or less than 20 degrees. In the degernate case discussed above,where the path reverses to subtend 180 degrees, the first aperture 19Amajor dimension and second aperture 19B major dimension may be thoughtto subtend an angle of zero degrees. Such an angle of less than 90degrees allows for inversion of the sheet 14 about an axis, such as thefirst axis, not parallel to the path between the first aperture 19A andthe second aperture 19B.

The walls of the package 10 may be discrete and defined from oneanother, and have a major depth M. The major depth is parallel to andmay be measured coincident a major axis, which is generally the longestdimension intercepted by the package 10. The major depth M of thepackage 10 may be vertical if the orifice 18 is on the upper surface ofthe package 10 when the package 10 is placed on a horizontal surface orreference plane such as a table or countertop. Such a package 10 mayhave a primary dispensing direction generally parallel to the majoraxis.

The orifice 18 need not be juxtaposed with a particular edge of thepackage 10. The orifice 18 may be juxtaposed with the shorter edge ofthe package 10, a corner thereof, or in any other suitableconfiguration, including the front, back, or side walls 30.

The orifice 18 may be covered by a lid 22. The lid 22 may be juxtaposedwith the orifice 18, in a closed position and removed from the proximityof the orifice 18 and an open position. The lid 22 may be hingedlyattached to the package 10, particularly the body 11. If so, one or morehinges 24 may join the body 11 and lid 22 so that one that may moverelative to the other by articulation. Alternatively, the lid 22 may betotally removable from the body 11, and not attached by hinges 24 orother means.

The package 10 may have a circular or noncircular cross section.Exemplary non-circular cross sections include squares, ovals, rectanglesand other cross sections having an aspect ratio not equal to unity. Anoncircular cross-section provides the benefit that a flat surface maybe presented to someone looking at the package 10. This arrangementprovides the benefit that a label, advertising, instructions, graphicsor other indicia may be placed on the flat surface and provide abillboard effect to the viewer. Furthermore, if the package 10 having anoncircular cross section is dropped on its side, such a package 10 willnot roll.

If a generally parallelepipedally shaped package 10 is selected, thehinges 24 may be generally horizontally disposed when the package sitson in a counter or table. If the orifice 18 is at the top of the package10, the axis of the hinge 24 may be generally perpendicular to theprimary dispensing direction.

Referring to FIG. 2, the hinge 24 may be disposed on one of the longsides or one of the short sides of a package 10 having a generallyrectangular cross section. While a package 10 having two hinges 24equally spaced from the sides is shown, the invention is not so limited.A package 10 having a single hinge 24, two hinges 24 or three or morehinges 24 may be utilized. The hinges 24 may be collinear and of equalor unequal length, spacing, etc.

The hinge 24 may be a living hinge 24. A living hinge 24 may be made ofa single piece of material, integrally joined to both the body 11 andlid 22. The living hinge 24 may have a region of reduced thickness,about which the articulation occurs and they thereby defines the axis ofthe hinge 24. Alternatively, the hinge 24 may be a hook-and-eyeconfiguration, a piano hinge 24, a butt hinge 24 or any otherconfiguration, which allows articulation between the body 11 and lid 22.

Alternatively, the lid 22 may be completely detachable from the body 11.In such an embodiment the lid 22 may be removably joined to the body 11.In such an embodiment, the lid 22 may be joined to the body 11 uponclosure by the interference fit around the periphery.

The lid 22 and body 11 may be joined at an interference that when thelid is in the closed position. An interference fit occurs when thematerial of either the lid 22 or body 11 slightly displaces the materialof the other upon closure of the lid 22. Such displacement may beelastic, due to the resilient material properties of the lid 22 and/orbody 11. The body 11 may have a periphery 23, about which the lid 22fits upon closure. Alternatively, the lid 22 may fit inside theperiphery 23 of the body 11 upon closure.

The interference fit provides a seal between the body 11 and lid 22. Byseal it is meant that a barrier to evaporation or the transfer of gasinto or out of the package 10 is present. The seal may also preventintrusion of contamination into the package 10, providing for sanitaryand hygienic storage of the contents. The seal may also preventintrusion of oxygen, air, etc. into the package 10.

The interference fit may be quantified by the amount of deformation oroverlap which occurs between the body 11 and lid 22 upon closure. In theembodiment shown, the interference is measured radially, generallyperpendicular to the periphery 23 at any point. The radial measurementis taken generally perpendicular to the major axis of the package 10.

While the interference provides a friction fit between the body 11 and alid 22, the package 10 may further comprise a closure. The closure maybe any device, which impedes orifice of the body 11 when in the closedposition. Suitable closures include snaps, various seals, hook and loopfasteners, latches, etc.

The package 10 may be disposable or refillable. By “disposable” is meantthe package 10 is intended to be discarded after the contents suppliedtherewith are depleted. Such a package 10 is not intended to berestocked with articles. Likewise, each sheet 14 or other article placedin the package 10 may be discarded after a single use, and not launderedor otherwise restored. By “refillable” it is meant the package 10 is ormay be restocked with articles after the supply is depleted. Such sheets14, or other articles, may be disposable or reusable.

If desired, wet or moist sheets 14 may be packaged in a flow wrap, as isknown in the art. A flow wrap is a polymeric film or other type ofimpervious wrapper which can be used to cover sheets 14 or articles, asdesired. The flow wrap may be used to prevent evaporation of moisture ofthe articles contained therein, may be used to keep the articleshygienic and sanitary until ready for use.

Flow wrap may generally conform to the shape of the articles containedtherein. If the articles comprise a clip or magazine of sheets 14, theflow wrap may comprise a generally parallelepiped geometry. The flowwrap may have an orifice, allowing the user to access the contentstherein or dispense the contents there through. The orifice may bedisposed on any side or position of the flow wrap, including withoutlimitation the short sides, long sides, intermediate sides, etc.

The package 10 may contain articles, such as discrete sheets 14 to bedispensed. Suitable sheets 14 may be made according to commonly assignedU.S. Pat. No. 4,191,609 issued Mar. 4, 1980 to Trokhan, U.S. Pat. No.4,637,859 issued Jan. 20, 1987 to Trokhan, or U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,118issued Jul. 26, 1994 to Muckenfuhs. The sheets 14 may comprise naturalfibers, manmade fibers, cellulosic materials, recycled materials,biodegradable materials, films, synthetic nonwovens, or combinationsthereof. The sheets 14 may be wet, moist or dry. One skilled in the artwill recognize that the package 10 may be water impervious if the sheets14 are wet. Wetting enables the sheets 14 to be used for wiping the skinas, for example, upon removal of a soiled diaper or to remove soilingfrom a hard surface such as a countertop. Of course, it will be apparentat various additives such as perfumes, antibacterial agents, cleansers,etc. may be utilized with a lead a sheet 14.

A sheet 14 may be considered to have been “dispensed through” theorifice 18 when it passes at least partially from inside the package 10to outside the package 10, either due to the consumer reaching in andgrasping the sheet 14, or the sheet 14 popping up through the orifice18, by trailing the sheet 14 previously withdrawn by the user. A sheet14 may be considered to be “withdrawn” after it has passed completelyfrom inside the orifice 18 to outside the orifice 18, and no portion oredge of the sheet 14 remains within the package 10.

The orifice 18 may be of a first size relative to the sheets 14. Thisfirst size may be designed to constrict the sheets 14 as they are pulledthrough the orifice 18 by the user. Sheets 14 are considered to be“constricted” when they must touch the walls 30 intercepted by theorifice 18 upon withdrawal by the user.

The sheets may be sequentially dispensed through the orifice 18 by popupdispensing. In such sequential dispensing, each sheet 14 may bereleasably attached to two adjacent sheets 14 by any releasableattachment which allows easy separation to occur as the sheet 14 isbeing dispensed or after the sheet 14 is withdrawn through the orifice18. The releasable attachment should allow one sheet 14 to be readilyseparated from an adjacent or subsequent sheet 14, without unduestresses being applied, tearing of either sheet 14, or damage to theorifice 18 or other portions of the package 10.

Each sheet 14 may be releasably attached to an adjacent sheet 14 at alap seal or a fin seal. The separation forces typically applied duringdispensing to a lap seal, may be in shear. The separation forcestypically applied during dispensing to a fin may be in peel. It will beapparent to one skilled in the art that the seal joining adjacent sheets14 must be strong enough to pull the succeeding sheet 14 through theorifice 18, yet allow the sheets 14 to be easily separable at the pointof use. In either arrangement, the lap or fin seal may comprise bothbonded areas and free areas. Having both bonded areas and free areas inthe seal may be important for controlling the separation forces and howthe leading edge 15 of the sheet 14 is exposed before separation fromthe succeeding sheet 14.

While rectangular sheets 14 are common in the art, one of skill willrecognize that the invention is not so limited. The sheets 14 may be ofany size, shape and thickness which are suitable for the intended useand can be conveniently dispensed as described herein.

The releasable attachment may comprise adhesively joining one sheet 14to adjacent sheets 14 with skin friendly adhesive, lotion compatibleadhesive, or FDA approved adhesive, as desired. A suitable adhesive maybe supplied by Findley Adhesives Inc. of Wauwatosa, Wis. as Item No.H9087-05 or by H.B. Fuller of St. Paul, Minn. as Product CodeHZ-1620-B-ZP.

Other releasable attachments may be utilized. For example, fusion bondedreleasable attachments, such as ultrasonic welding or heat sealing ofadjacent sheets, 14 may be employed, as is well known in the art.Additionally, mechanical entanglement releasable attachments, such asneedle punching, steam sealing, embossing, or crimping may be utilizedas well. Autogeneous bonding releasable attachments, such as disclosedin commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,984 issued Aug. 8, 1989 to Ballet al. may be utilized.

It will further be apparent that wetted sheets 14 may be releasablyattached to one another through cohesion at the overlap between adjacentsheets 14. The cohesion may not require an affirmative manufacturingstep and may be used to augment other releasable attachments.

Alternatively, a sheet 14 may be releasably attached to an adjacentsheet 14 by a plurality of frangible lands. As used herein a “land”refers to a small connection separated by large cuts and joiningadjacent sheets 14. Lands may be considered to be “frangible” if, uponseparation of one sheet 14 from an adjacent sheet 14 in tension, thelands 18 break prior to significant ripping or tearing of either sheet14. This arrangement allows perforated sheets 14 to be utilized. Ofcourse, multiple releasable attachments may be used in any combination.

If the package 10 contains sheets 14 to be dispensed, the major depth Mof the package 10 may be considered relative to the breaking strength ofa releasable attachment between adjacent sheets 14. The releasableattachment may be overcome by the weight of the sheet 14 between afree-hanging releasable attachment means and the magazine of sheets 14there below. As the package 10 becomes taller in the vertical direction,and the weight of a free hanging sheet 14 increases, the orifice 18 mustbecome more restrictive to prevent the sheet 14 to be dispensed fromfalling back into the package 10. Furthermore, as the sheets 14 becomethicker, the area of the orifice 18 should increase to allow the sheets14 to be dispensed there through.

Each sheet 14 may have a leading edge 15 and a trailing edge 16. Theleading edge 15 is that edge of the sheet, which is generally firstdrawn through the orifice 18 during dispensing. The trailing edge 16 isgenerally the last portion of the sheet 15 withdrawn through the orifice18 during dispensing.

The trailing edge 16 of one sheet 14 may be releasably attached to theleading edge 15 of a subsequent sheet 14. This arrangement allows thetrailing edge 16 of the first sheet 14 to be dispensed to pull theleading edge 16 of the subsequent sheet 14 through the orifice 18. Thereleasable attachment of successive trailing edges 16 and leading edges15 provides for sequential dispensing of the respective sheets 14.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3E, the sheets 14 may be disposed in a package 10in an interleaved pattern. A pattern is considered to be “interleaved”when part of a sheet 14 is behind the succeeding sheet 14 to bedispensed while the sheets 14 are disposed in that pattern prior todispensing through orifice 18. Thus, in an interleaved pattern of sheets14 according to the present invention, pop-up dispensing may be assistedby frictional engagement between adjacent sheets 14. The interleavedpattern may be assisted in maintaining popup dispensing through theaddition of a releasable attachment, as discussed above. Such areleasable attachment may be disposed at the position marked with the“X.”

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4E, the sheets 14 may be disposed in a package 10in a non-interleaved pattern. A pattern is considered to be“non-interleaved” when no part of a sheet 14 is behind the succeedingsheet 14 to be dispensed while the sheets 14 are disposed in the patternprior to dispensing through orifice 18. Thus, in a non-interleavedpattern of sheets 14 according to the present invention, pop-updispensing does not have to rely upon frictional engagement betweenadjacent sheets 14. Again, a releasable attachment may be utilized, asdiscussed above.

In either an interleaved pattern or a non-interleaved pattern, thesheets 14 may be generally disposed in a stack. Thus, interleaved andnon-interleaved patterns are collectively referred to as stackedpatterns, as both such patterns yield a stack of the sheets 14.

One of skill will recognize that a single interleaved or non-interleavedarrangement may be used in a particular stack or clip of sheets 14.Alternatively a given stack of sheets 14 may have plural interleavedpatterns, non-interleaved patterns, or combinations thereof. Thisarrangement can be used to accommodate different empty volumes of thebody 11 as more sheets 14 are dispensed or to accommodate the firstsheet 14, as desired.

The stack may be generally flat, and parallelepipedally shaped. Eachsheet 14 in the stack may be folded into a configuration having afootprint which is smaller than the unfolded dimensions of the sheet 14.For example, if the sheet 14 is rectangularly shaped, the footprint ofthe stack may likewise be rectangularly shaped. However, either or bothdimensions of the stack may be smaller than the corresponding dimensionof the unfolded sheet 14. This arrangement provides a stack with arelatively smaller footprint, and which can fit in to the body 11 of thepackage 10.

Each sheet 14 in the stack may define a plane due to the foldingpattern. That plane may be generally parallel to the major axis of thepackage 10, and to the dispensing direction. This geometry provides thebenefit that a package 10 of noncircular cross-section, and having theorifice 18 on a small side of that package may be provided with arelatively smaller footprint. Such a geometry may also yield a package10 having a relatively larger side facing the user and providing theaforementioned billboard effect.

The sheets 14 need not be disposed in a flat plane as shown. If desired,the sheets 14 may be disposed in a curvilinear plane. For example, thesheets 14 may assume a curve having an S-shape or a shape with a bend atthe bottom of the body 11 of the package 10. Such a geometry may improvethe ability of the sheets 14 to stand in the vertical plane, if avertical footprint is desired for the package 10. Such a geometry mayalso assist in maintaining alignment of the plane of the sheets parallelto the major axis of the package 10 and hence parallel to the primarydirection of dispensing of the sheets 14 through the orifice 18.

Alternatively, the sheets 14 may be disposed in a package 10 in a spiralwound pattern. A pattern is considered to be spiral wound when thesheets 14 are disposed in a volute pattern prior to dispensing throughorifice 18. In such a configuration the sheets 14 may be rolled into acore, providing a spool of sheets 14 to be dispensed, or may be roll Aspiral wound pattern is common with packages 10 having a circularcross-section.

Referring to FIG. 5, the sheets 14 are generally planar, having a firstface and a second face opposed thereto. The first face and second faceare oriented in opposing first and second directions, respectively. Uponcommunication of a portion of the sheet 14 from the first aperture 19Ato the second aperture 19B, the sheet inverts so that at least a portionof the first face and second face are oriented generally towards thesecond direction and the first direction, respectively. In a degeneratecase the inversion may be 180 degrees, so that the first face and secondface are oriented identically in the first direction and seconddirection, respectively. Furthermore, the inversion may even be greaterthan 180 degrees.

Thus the sheet 14 may be inverted about an axis, with the axis lyingwithin the plane of the sheet. The axis may be coincident or generallyparallel the primary dispensing direction. Such an axis may be thoughtof as the first axis about which the sheet 14 inverts during dispensing,or even prior to being dispensed from the orifice 18.

Of course, one of skill will recognize that the sheet 14 may notentirely invert about the first axis during communication from the firstaperture 19A to the second aperture 19B. A portion of the sheet 14 maybe in contact with the succeeding sheet 14. The portion of the firstface and second face of the sheet 14 remaining in contact with thesucceeding sheet will not yet be inverted, although may invert about thefirst axis during dispensing.

If desired the leading edge 15 of the sheet 14 may be disposed away fromorifice 18. This geometry provides a sheet 14, with the trailing edge 16of that sheet 14 closer to the orifice 18 than the leading edge 15 ofthat sheet 14 prior to dispensing. In such an embodiment, the sheet 14may also invert about a second axis during dispensing. The second axismay be generally skewed relative to the first axis and also generallytransverse to the primary dispensing direction. In a degenerate case,the first axis and second axis may be mutually orthogonal.

Such inversion, about either axis, allows the sheet 14 to beginunfolding prior to dispensing through the orifice 18. The inversionabout the second axis allows for the leading edge 15 of the sheet 14being dispensed to travel back across that sheet 14 as the leading edge15 is pulled from a position remote from the dispensing orifice 18towards the orifice 18.

This process allows the sheet 14 to unfold across the vertical axis, orsuch other axis as may be aligned with the primary dispensing directionas well as unfold about a direction orthogonal thereto, so that thesheet 14 may invert in two generally orthogonal planes. This arrangementprovides the benefit that the sheet 14 may be less prone to tearing upondispensing and that it may more easily unfold for use after dispensing.

If such an arrangement is elected, the body 11 of the package 10 may beprovided with sufficient space to allow the sheet 14 to begin inversionand unfolding as dispensing occurs. This may be particularly desirableif one is concerned with tearing of the first sheet 14 to be dispensed.

While a package 10 having a lid 22 disposed above the body 11 isillustrated, the invention is not so limited. The lid 22 may be placedproximal to the dispensing orifice 18. The dispensing orifice 18 neednot be juxtaposed with the top of the package 10 as illustrated. Thedispensing orifice 18 may be placed central to the package 10, orjuxtaposed with the bottom of the package 10 as desired.

Likewise, a package 10 having an orifice with two apertures 19A, 19B isillustrated. However, the invention is not so limited. The firstaperture 19A may be connected to a second aperture 19B, which, in turn,may be connected to a third aperture (not shown), a fourth aperture (notshown), etc. This arrangement allows the user to select the amount ofinversion desired, prior to dispensing of the sheet 14. The user maysimply move the sheet 14 from the first aperture 19A to the secondaperture 19B, to the third aperture, etc. as desired.

Furthermore, the first aperture 19A may be connected to two or moresecond apertures 19B. This arrangement allows the user to select theangle of the inversion. For example, it may be desired to invert in afirst direction for a first use of the sheet 14, a second direction fora second use of the sheet 14, etc. Of course, either or both secondapertures 19B may be interconnected to a third aperture, a fourth,aperture (either directly or through the third aperture), etc.

The sheets 14 may be inserted into the package 10 in a dry condition. Ifdesired a wetting solution may later be added to the package, andallowed to equilibrate or generally diffuse through the sheets 14. Thisarrangement provides the benefit that the sheets 14 can be manufacturedand packaged in a dry condition, but presented to the consumer in a wetcondition. If the solution migrates to the bottom of a generallyvertical package and dispensing may occur prior to full equilibration ofthe solution. If so, during the inverted dispensing described herein,some transfer of that solution to the top portions of the sheets 14 canbe expected to occur. Such transfer may yield a more uniformdistribution of the solution to the sheets 14.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm”.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, inrelevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of anydocument is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior artwith respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaningor definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to the term in this written documentshall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. A package in combination with at least one sheet therein dispensablefrom said package comprising: A package, said package comprising a bodyhaving a front and a top and containing at least one sheet therein and agenerally C-shaped orifice for dispensing said at least one sheet therethrough, said orifice not being symmetric about any axis; said orificecomprising a first aperture and a second aperture in unobstructedcommunication therewith, said first aperture being larger than saidsecond aperture so that a user can reach through said first aperture tograsp a sheet inside said body, said first aperture being disposed onsaid front of said body, said first aperture and said second aperturelying in two different planes, said second aperture being disposed onsaid top of said body and being corrugated, said second aperture havinga major dimension and a minor dimension orthogonal thereto, said majordimension being greater than said minor dimension; and at least onesheet disposed in said package, said sheet having a generally planarconfiguration, said plane of said sheet being substantially aligned withsaid major dimension, wherein said sheet is dispensed from said packagein a primary direction, said primary direction lying within said planeof said sheets and being vertically upwards, each said sheet having afirst side and a second side opposed thereto, said first side and saidsecond side being oriented in a first direction and a second direction,respectively, whereby said sheet upon being partially dispensed throughsaid first aperture and then communicated to said second aperture, atleast a portion of said first side of said sheet inverts to face towardssaid second direction, and wherein a portion of said sheet is foldedupon itself during communication from said first aperture to said secondaperture, and said folded portion inverts upon entering said secondaperture.
 2. A package according to claim 1 wherein said sheet isfolded.
 3. A package according to claim 2 comprising a plurality ofsheets.
 4. A package according to claim 3 wherein said sheets areinterfolded to provide for pop-up dispensing.
 5. (canceled) 6.(canceled)
 7. (canceled)
 8. (canceled)
 9. (canceled)
 10. A method ofdispensing a sheet from a package in pop-up fashion, said methodcomprising the steps of: reaching into a package and withdrawing aportion of a sheet from a starting position through a first aperture insaid package, said sheet being disposed in a planar configuration; andmoving said withdrawn portion of said sheet in an arcute path to asecond aperture, whereby a portion of said sheet inverts about a firstaxis to face in the opposite direction from said starting position. 11.A method according to claim 10 wherein said inversion occurs prior toremoving said sheet from said package.
 12. A method according to claim11 further comprising the step of causing said sheet to invert about asecond axis, said second axis being skewed relative to said first axis.13. A method according to claim 12 further comprising the step ofcausing said sheet to invert about a second axis, said second axis beingorthogonal to said first axis.
 14. A method according to claim whereinthe step of causing said sheet to invert about a first axis, comprisesthe step of causing said sheet to invert at least 180 degrees about saidfirst axis.
 15. (canceled)